Trademark Registration in Nepal 2026: Documents, Fees and How to Apply
How to register a trademark in Nepal in 2026. Check Department of Industry documents, government fees, classes, filing steps and renewal tips.
You have created a business name, logo or product brand. How do you protect it in Nepal? Company registration and trademark registration are not the same thing. A registered company name does not automatically give you a registered trademark for your goods or services.
Quick answer: Trademark applications in Nepal are handled by the Department of Industry (DoI). Its current citizen charter lists a NPR 1,000 application fee and NPR 5,000 registration fee for a domestic trademark, with a separate application needed for each relevant class. The department specifies an application form, business registration or operating permission, four specimens of the mark and supporting documents. The actual processing time is not guaranteed. Check the latest notices before filing. Source: DoI citizen charter.
Trademark registration at a glance
| Question | Current official guidance |
|---|---|
| Responsible office | Department of Industry, Industrial Property Section |
| Core law | Patent, Design and Trade Mark Act, 2022 (1965), as amended |
| Application fee | NPR 1,000 per application/class |
| Registration fee | NPR 5,000 per registration/class |
| Trademark samples | Four copies, up to 8 × 8 cm according to DoI checklist |
| Basic supporting record | Business registration or permission, application and payment receipt |
| Guaranteed completion time | No fixed total completion period stated in the current charter |
| Important extra step | Check similar marks and current DoI notices before filing |
The fees above are government fees shown in the DoI citizen charter,not a quote for legal services or an assurance that every application will be accepted. Fees and procedures may change.
What is a trademark?
A trademark is a sign used to identify goods or services and distinguish them from those of another business. Depending on the mark and applicable rules, it may include a word, brand name, logo or combination of elements.
For example, a food manufacturer might want to protect the name printed on its packaging. A service business may want protection for the brand used in its advertising. The important question is not just whether a name sounds attractive, but whether the proposed mark is distinctive and available for the relevant goods or services.
Trademark registration versus company registration
| Company registration | Trademark registration |
|---|---|
| Establishes a legal business entity | Protects a mark for specified goods or services under trademark law |
| Handled through the appropriate business registration authority | Handled by the Department of Industry |
| Identifies a registered company or business | Identifies the protected brand sign |
| Does not by itself prove exclusive trademark rights | Does not replace company, tax or industry registration |
A domain name, Facebook page or social media handle also does not
replace a registered trademark. Using a name online is not proof that it
is available for registration.
Step 1: Decide what exactly you want to protect
Write down the mark as you intend to use it. Is it a word mark, a logo,
or a combined name and design? Make sure the applicant is the correct
business owner and that the ownership arrangement is clear. If designers
or agencies created the artwork, keep contracts and evidence of your
rights to use it.
Think about future growth. A brand used only for clothing today might
later sell accessories or provide retail services. Trademark protection
is connected to the goods and services described in the application; do
not assume one registration automatically covers every activity.
Step 2: Search for similar marks
Before paying for design, packaging or filing, investigate whether a
confusingly similar mark is already registered or pending for relevant
goods and services. Check the [Department of
Industry](https://doind.gov.np/) and its [industrial property
notices](https://www.doind.gov.np/industrial-property-section). Where a
complete searchable online register is not available, ask the department
or a qualified trademark professional about the appropriate search
process.
Also search the wider market, including websites, shops and online
marketplaces. Market searches are useful but **not equivalent to an
official trademark clearance search**. Similar spelling, pronunciation,
appearance or business categories may matter.
Step 3: Choose the relevant class
Trademark applications are organised by categories of goods and
services. The [Patent, Design and Trade Mark
Act](https://lawcommission.gov.np/content/12142/12142-patent-design-and-trademark-ac/)
provides the legal framework, while the department handles the
classification and filing process.
Ask which class or classes correctly describe your current goods and
services. Filing too narrowly may leave important activities outside the
registration; filing broadly without a genuine basis may create
unnecessary cost or examination problems. The department's fee structure
should be considered per application/class where separate
applications are required.
Step 4: Prepare the required documents
The [DoI's current citizen
charter](https://www.doind.gov.np/citizen-charter-v2) lists the
following for a domestic trademark application:
- A fully completed application in the prescribed form.
- A copy of the relevant business or industry operating permission or
registration certificate.
- Four specimens of the mark, each no larger than 8 × 8 cm, with
the required identifying information about the business and relevant
goods or services.
- Receipt showing payment of the application fee.
- A power of attorney and identity documentation if a representative
has been appointed.
Requirements for foreign applicants include additional documents. Do not
assume a foreign brand can file using only a Nepal company name. Check
the [Industrial Property Section's
checklist](https://www.doind.gov.np/industrial-property-section) for the
current procedure.
Step 5: Submit the application and keep evidence
Follow the department's current filing instructions. DoI published a
[specific urgent notice about trademark application registration in
2026](https://www.doind.gov.np/detail/7589137d-aa6b-4605-b3bf-ae5d63545053),
so confirm the accepted submission method and any special document
requirements before visiting or sending a representative.
Keep the acknowledgement, application number, fee receipt, exact mark
specimen and copies of every submitted document. If you file for more
than one class, organise each application separately so you can track
status and correspondence.
Step 6: Examination, publication and possible objections
Submission is the beginning of the process, not a guarantee of
registration. The department examines applications under the applicable
law. A mark may face objections or conflict with another mark. DoI
publishes industrial property notices and bulletins, which applicants
should monitor.
If an objection or request for clarification is issued, respond within
the applicable deadline and with appropriate evidence. Do not assume
silence means approval. For contested applications, professional advice
can prevent avoidable mistakes.
Step 7: Pay the registration fee when required
The DoI citizen charter identifies a NPR 5,000 registration fee in
addition to the NPR 1,000 application fee for a domestic trademark.
These are separate stages, so do not describe the full NPR 6,000 as a
single upfront application charge. The amount may be multiplied when
separate class applications are necessary.
| Illustrative number of classes | Application fees | Registration fees if all are approved | Government total if all approved |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | NPR 1,000 | NPR 5,000 | NPR 6,000 |
| 2 | NPR 2,000 | NPR 10,000 | NPR 12,000 |
| 3 | NPR 3,000 | NPR 15,000 | NPR 18,000 |
This table is arithmetic based on the published per-application figures.
It excludes professional charges and any other applicable costs. Verify
current fees directly before payment.
Step 8: Use, monitor and renew your mark
A registered trademark needs ongoing attention. Keep the certificate and
renewal reminders, maintain evidence of genuine use, monitor similar
marks and update ownership records when necessary. The [Department of
Industry](https://www.doind.gov.np/industrial-property-section)
publishes renewal document requirements, including the original
certificate, fee receipt and evidence relating to business renewal and
use.
Do not assume protection continues indefinitely without action. Check
the current statutory term, renewal deadlines and any grace periods
under the [official
Act](https://lawcommission.gov.np/content/12142/12142-patent-design-and-trademark-ac/)
and confirm the filing timetable with the department.
Common trademark mistakes in Nepal
Thinking company registration is enough
A company certificate is not a trademark certificate. Protect the brand
separately if appropriate.
Printing thousands of labels before searching
If a mark conflicts with another party's rights, packaging and marketing
costs can be wasted. Search early.
Filing only a logo when the brand name matters
Different forms of a mark can raise different protection questions. Seek
advice on which filing strategy fits your business.
Choosing the wrong class
A mark may be associated with one type of goods or services but not
another. Describe your actual commercial activities accurately.
Missing official notices
DoI has published application-related notices. Follow the current
instructions and keep proof of submissions and responses.
Believing that payment guarantees approval
A government fee is not a promise that the mark will be registered.
Examination and potential objections still matter.
How to choose a trademark adviser
A good adviser should explain the search, proposed classes, government
fees, professional fees, likely procedural stages and potential
objections. Ask who will own the registration, who receives official
correspondence and how renewals will be tracked. Avoid advisers who
promise certain approval or invent a fixed processing date.
Use [Ratings Nepal business
discovery](https://ratingsnepal.com/businesses) to compare relevant
professional services, including [accounting
firms](https://ratingsnepal.com/categories/accounting-firms), and read
genuine customer reviews. For legal
trademark questions, confirm the adviser's actual qualifications and
experience rather than assuming any accounting or marketing agency can
provide legal clearance.
Frequently asked questions
How much does trademark registration cost in Nepal in 2026?
The DoI's current citizen charter lists NPR 1,000 for the application
and NPR 5,000 for registration for a domestic trademark. Multiple
classes can require separate applications and fees. Professional charges
are extra.
Can I register a trademark without registering a company?
The DoI's domestic checklist asks for a relevant industry or business
registration or operating permission. Applicants should confirm the
correct legal form and supporting documents for their situation directly
with the department.
Is a registered company name automatically a trademark?
No. Company registration and trademark registration serve different
legal purposes.
How long does trademark registration take in Nepal?
The DoI's current charter does not promise a fixed total processing
period. Examination, publication, objections and procedural requirements
can affect timing.
Can a foreign company register a trademark in Nepal?
The department provides a separate foreign trademark checklist with
additional documentation. Foreign applicants should confirm the current
filing and representation requirements.
Can I protect my brand in several product categories?
Potentially, but the correct classification and filing approach matter.
Ask the DoI or a qualified trademark professional about the relevant
classes and separate applications.
Where can I check the official trademark process?
Start with the [DoI Industrial Property
Section](https://www.doind.gov.np/industrial-property-section), [current
citizen charter](https://www.doind.gov.np/citizen-charter-v2) and
[official trademark
law](https://lawcommission.gov.np/content/12142/12142-patent-design-and-trademark-ac/).
Final thoughts
A brand is an asset worth protecting, but trademark registration is a
legal process rather than a design exercise. Search early, choose the
right mark and classes, prepare accurate documents, follow current
Department of Industry notices and keep renewal records. Do not treat a
social media username or company registration certificate as a
substitute.
Explore businesses, [professional
services](https://ratingsnepal.com/categories) and [real
reviews](https://ratingsnepal.com/reviews) on Ratings Nepal. If you have
first-hand experience with a branding, accounting or legal service,
leave a fair review. Businesses can [add a free
listing](https://ratingsnepal.com/add-listing).
Official sources and update notes
- Department of Industry
- [DoI citizen charter, industrial property fees and
documents](https://www.doind.gov.np/citizen-charter-v2)
- [DoI Industrial Property
Section](https://www.doind.gov.np/industrial-property-section)
- [DoI urgent trademark application
notice](https://www.doind.gov.np/detail/7589137d-aa6b-4605-b3bf-ae5d63545053)
- [Nepal Law Commission, Patent, Design and Trade Mark
Act](https://lawcommission.gov.np/content/12142/12142-patent-design-and-trademark-ac/)
Information likely to change: Filing channels, forms, classification
practice, fees, notices, renewal rules and processing timelines. This is
general educational information, not legal advice or an official
trademark availability search.